Failing businesses, mounting debt are conspiring to send these companies into the abyss

And looking ahead to 2014, things could be even better for some high-fliers with big momentum. The U.S. economy is mending, with unemployment down to 7% and the housing market humming along, and regions like China and Europe are looking up, too.

Unfortunately, not every company has shared in this success.

Thanks to specific problems, these three stocks are in deep trouble as we turn the page on a new year. And there’s a good chance that over the next 12 months we could see them break up, restructure, beg for a buyout to avoid evaporating … or if things continue to deteriorate, perhaps even consider closing up shop altogether.